Pride and Insecurity
Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Pride and insecurity are two powerful forces that can severely distort our decision-making process. In 1 Kings 12:6-11, Rehoboam's downfall began when pride and insecurity clouded his judgment. Feeling the pressure to surpass the success of his father, Solomon, he was unwilling to listen to the seasoned advice of older, wiser advisors. Instead, he chose to follow the advice of his peers, whose advice was influenced by ambition rather than wisdom. As a result, the kingdom was torn apart. This illustrates how unchecked pride and insecurity can lead to poor choices and, ultimately, disastrous outcomes.
When we allow pride to dominate our thinking, we risk making decisions based on a desire to prove ourselves, rather than seeking God’s guidance. Proverbs 16:18 warns us that "pride goes before destruction," and it’s often our pride that keeps us from seeking wise counsel. Insecurity, on the other hand, causes us to second-guess ourselves and rely too heavily on the wrong voices, out of fear that we might not measure up. Both pride and insecurity create barriers to hearing God’s voice clearly, as they focus on self rather than on God’s will for our lives.
The key to overcoming pride and insecurity is to approach our decisions with humility, trusting that God’s plan for us is greater than anything we could achieve on our own. We must be willing to admit that we don’t have all the answers and that we need others to help us navigate life’s challenges. Only then can we make decisions that are aligned with God's will and avoid the destructive paths that pride and insecurity can lead us down.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to recognize the dangers of pride and insecurity in our lives. Teach us to humble ourselves before You and trust in Your wisdom rather than our own understanding. Guide us to make decisions that honor You and lead to the fulfillment of Your plan for our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Pride and insecurity are two powerful forces that can severely distort our decision-making process. In 1 Kings 12:6-11, Rehoboam's downfall began when pride and insecurity clouded his judgment. Feeling the pressure to surpass the success of his father, Solomon, he was unwilling to listen to the seasoned advice of older, wiser advisors. Instead, he chose to follow the advice of his peers, whose advice was influenced by ambition rather than wisdom. As a result, the kingdom was torn apart. This illustrates how unchecked pride and insecurity can lead to poor choices and, ultimately, disastrous outcomes.
When we allow pride to dominate our thinking, we risk making decisions based on a desire to prove ourselves, rather than seeking God’s guidance. Proverbs 16:18 warns us that "pride goes before destruction," and it’s often our pride that keeps us from seeking wise counsel. Insecurity, on the other hand, causes us to second-guess ourselves and rely too heavily on the wrong voices, out of fear that we might not measure up. Both pride and insecurity create barriers to hearing God’s voice clearly, as they focus on self rather than on God’s will for our lives.
The key to overcoming pride and insecurity is to approach our decisions with humility, trusting that God’s plan for us is greater than anything we could achieve on our own. We must be willing to admit that we don’t have all the answers and that we need others to help us navigate life’s challenges. Only then can we make decisions that are aligned with God's will and avoid the destructive paths that pride and insecurity can lead us down.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to recognize the dangers of pride and insecurity in our lives. Teach us to humble ourselves before You and trust in Your wisdom rather than our own understanding. Guide us to make decisions that honor You and lead to the fulfillment of Your plan for our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
No Comments